Government schoolteacher suspended for drinking on duty

A government high school English teacher, who was allegedly found drinking on duty, was suspended on Friday. The teacher, Shamsher Singh works at Government High School, Johnewal, Ludhiana.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Punjab director general school education (DGSE) Kahan Singh Pannu said, "The principal of Government High School, Johnewal, reported Shamsher for drinking on duty, following which he was medically examined at the civil hospital. The medical report found alcohol in his blood. Therefore, he was suspended. He will now report to the district education officer (secondary) at Faridkot."

Pannu said the same teacher was found drunk on duty on August 8, 2012, as well.

However, he was allowed to rejoin duty on October 26 after a warning, as he had pledged against repeating the misconduct.

The DGSE said he had directed school heads to report any teacher found drunk, drinking or consuming drugs during school hours. If the school heads do not report such gross misconduct, action will be taken against them, he added.

He said before taking any action against any teacher, a medical test should be conducted to confirm presence of drugs or alcohol in blood, following which the medical report should be sent to the head office of the education department.

Pannu said teachers played an important role in students' life, and students considered them their role models. "Therefore, we will not tolerate teachers drinking or being high on drugs on duty," he added.

Others found tipsy on dutyTwo teachers and a lab attendant from various government schools of the state were suspended after they were found drinking on duty in November last year. These included Jagdeep Singh a physics lecturer at Government In-service Training Institute, Jagraon; Gurpal Singh, a senior lab attendant from Government High School, Aluna Palla, Ludhiana; and Manjit Singh, physical teacher instructor, from Government Middle School, Phagwara in Kapurthala district.